2023 All Church Discipleship Series

This year-long discipleship study included topical presentations from ministers (odd numbered months) and testimonies from members of the congregation (even months). The testimonies followed-up the topical study from the previous month and focused on how brothers and sisters have practically applied the various discipleship concepts throughout their lives. Following each topic, a list of resources for further study was made available to the congregation.

Please see below our 2023 schedule & follow-up resources:

Schedule

Month	Topic	Theme Scripture
Jan (Sunday)	Am I a Disciple of Christ?	Luke 9:23
Feb (Wednesday)	Testimony	Luke 9:23
Mar (Sunday)	Stewarding as an Administrator - Not an Owner	Matthew 25:22
April (Wednesday)	Testimony	Matthew 25:22
May (Sunday)	How do I Seek Peace in Today's World?	John 16:33
June (Wednesday)	Testimony	John 16:33
July (Sunday)	How do I Pray to the Father?	Luke 11:1
August (Wednesday)	Testimony	Luke 11:1
September (Sunday)	How do I Love as a Disciple of Christ?	John 13:35
October (Wednesday)	Testimony	John 13:35

Recordings & Follow-Up Resources

Am I a Disciple of Christ?

Recordings (Click to Play)

Bible Study: Am I a Disciple of Christ? by Bro. Joshua Martinez
Testimony: Bro. Steve & Sis. Vicki Bucher, Sis. Denise Romersberger

Discussion Question
The Greek word for disciple refers to a "learner". When and how have you learned the most during your Christian walk?

Theme Verse
"And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me." Luke 9:23
Stewarding as an Administrator - Not an Owner
Recordings (Click to Play)

Bible Study: Stewarding as an Administrator, Not an Owner, by Bro. Kent Wiegand
Testimony: Bro. Virg & Sis Mary Metzger, Bro. Brian & Sis. Alison Sutter

Discussion Question
"How does maintaining a stewardship mindset influence how you live and focus your time?"

Theme Verse
"He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredest unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them." Matthew 25:22

Resources
- Bro. Ted Witzig, Jr. gave a talk at the Champaign church on "Understanding and Developing Spiritual Gifts." Bro. Kent referenced this presentation in his bible study. Click here for the recording.
- This is a link to information on developing spiritual gifts. It includes the powerpoint Bro. Ted spoke on in the above teaching as well as a couple assessments that you can take related to spiritual gifts. Click here to access the materials.
- In this Around the Table podcast, Bro. Randy Gudeman and Bro. John Reinhard share on the topic “We belong to God.” They walk through our guiding principle I – “We freely give as we have freely received, recognizing our lives and resources belong to God.” They identify and walk through four traps we can fall into as we seek to steward as administrators and not owners. Click here to listen in.
- In this Breaking Bread podcasts, Bro. Matt Kaufman and Bro. Arlan Miller share on stewarding our attention and how what we pay attention to influence who we become. Click here to listen in.
How do I Seek Peace in Today's World?
Recordings (Click to Play)

Bible Study: How do I Seek Peace in Today's World? by Bro. Clark Stoller
Testimony: Bro. Tim & Sis. Barb Slagel

Discussion Question
Bro. Tim defined peace as "knowing God is in charge." How do you cultivate daily living with a mindset of God being in charge?

Theme Verse
"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." John 16:33

Resources
- This is a talk Bro. Isaac gave at Gridley church on "Entering into rest." Bro. Isaac uses Psalm 95 & Hebrews 1-4. Click here for the recording.
- Bro. Tim & Sis Barb referenced a number of testimonies. This link will take you to many more testimonies which are well worth the listen. Click here to watch the videos.
- This link will take you to an article on peace - a word that can have various meanings. This article looks at how peace is used in scripture. Click here to read the article.
How do I Pray to the Father?
Recordings (Click to Play)

Bible Study: How do I Pray to the Father? by Bro. Joe Gerber
Testimony: Bro. Stan & Sis Jane DesCarpentrie, Bro. Trent & Sis. Heather Barth

Discussion Question
We were reminded that prayer changes things in the real world in real time because we serve a real God. How do you live out the belief that prayer changes things in your life?

Theme Verse
"And…one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples." Luke 11:1

Resources
- Sermon on Prayer & Self Sufficiency by Bro. Joe Gerber, given at Bluffton Country Church on 11.1.2020. Click here for the recording.
- Sermon on Prayer as a Spiritual Discipline by Bro. Joe Gerber, given in Gridley on 7.8.2020. Click here for the recording.
- Bible study on Prayer & Personal Devotion by Bro. Tony Manz, given in Junction on 1.25.23. Click here for the recording.
- Podcast series on Intercessory prayer from ACCFS. Click here to access the podcasts.
How do I Love as a Disciple of Christ?
Recordings (Click to Play)

Bible Study: How do I Love as a Disciple of Christ? by Bro. Nate Hodel
Testimony: Bro. Thad & Sis. Elizabeth Heinold, Bro. Wayne & Sis. Gloria Laubscher

Theme Verse:
"By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples if ye have love one to another." John 13:35

Follow-up Activity
We were reminded of three characteristics present in the love of Jesus: love serves, love gives and love invests. One of the practical ways we were encouraged to love is to be caring enough to be interested in the lives of others. Think of someone today you can be curious about, show interest in and follow-up.

Follow-up Resources for Further Study:
- May 10, 2023 - Love as Jesus Loves - Bro Tony Manz - this is a topical study given by Bro. Tony Manz. Our church purpose is "To glorify God by loving as Jesus loves." Bro. Tony uses the acronym "FRIEND" to talk through aspects of this love.
- Around the Table Podcast: Seeking to be like Jesus - May 14, 2021 - this is a podcast on practical ways to live out our Guiding Principle B - "We seek to be like Jesus in thought, action, and character, and to live the entire counsel of his Word."
- Breaking Break Podcast - Shedding Hurt Series - this is a podcast series on shedding hurt. As we heard during the testimonies, one aspect of love is learning to navigate hurt and forgiveness. This series contains practical ways to deal with anger, forgiveness and disappointment.
- Consider meditating on Hymns of Zion - #289 - The Love of God or 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

John 15:8

"Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples."

2023 All Church Discipleship Series

Schedule

Recordings & Follow-Up Resources

Am I a Disciple of Christ?

Stewarding as an Administrator - Not an Owner

How do I Seek Peace in Today's World?

How do I Pray to the Father?

How do I Love as a Disciple of Christ?

John 15:8